[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6511719,"mediaKeyId","5134149-62dd1fb70204405fcf8f6b53cc39d0d0","parentId",5134149,"title","RMA board approves multiple consultant work authorizations, defers some items and denies contractor's advance payment request","audioSeconds",933,"startMs",3313000,"endMs",4246000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5134149-62dd1fb70204405fcf8f6b53cc39d0d0&start=3313&end=4246","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5134149-62dd1fb70204405fcf8f6b53cc39d0d0/thumbnail_3313000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6511719/Pharr/Hidalgo-County/Texas/RMA-board-approves-multiple-consultant-work-authorizations-defers-some-items-and-denies-contractors-advance-payment-request","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6511719-07cba6bd7bc682ff618e5bb2105ede72/orig.mp4?Expires=1776412227&Signature=Da1qpZrAveTgdAVKqlXyht00I-WSbc~Cjy5uJw2wcgdSGHsHlz7zIYivuwitardmLMHveo9EWNplCXqG~LQghCEY7c05~5ZIrvI3GjJEbvhEZVaWjBktAGD7rACPHUTBuQJ6nxBBlKhIPitOYIdcmNUPf7hSfFJj5vVEBMziVNoZyiCUwLrcmBA3iIKhw1BbOsXmmkBjySl~9Poj~XqsLzA7zSnHsb3oeCSA7cC9ziLzfSlzfhcMQVfEhb7d5~PkJzI0nFipkLoTibg0TfqT0N8cZzE0X-XLyKrCLn138iN6AWeDW24snn4aRGbsbpFn37B~Vm119a0CWGuphtNxLg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Pharr, Texas","date","2025-07-03T19:26:59Z","article","The Hidalgo County Regional Mobility Authority voted on several contract and work-authorization items tied to the 365 Tollway project during its meeting.

Approved items

- Resolution 2025-33 (item 4a): Approval of Work Authorization No. 2 to APSER LP to provide a levy certification report for the IBWC (International Boundary and Water Commission). Staff identified the work authorization amount as $67,149.65 and recommended approval; the board approved the item.

- Resolution 2025-35 (item 4c): Approval of contract amendment No. 2 to Atzer LP to increase the maximum payable amount for prior work authorizations; staff recommended approval and the board approved the amendment.

- Resolution 2025-41 (item 4d): Approval of Work Authorization No. 1 to Alliance Geotechnical Group to provide drill-shaft forensic testing. Staff described this as representative destructive testing of roughly 110 in-place drill shafts; the work authorization amount presented in the packet was approximately $852,318 and the board approved the item.

- Resolution 2025-42 (item 4e): Approval of Work Authorization No. 1 to ECS Southwest LLP for retaining-wall (MSE wall) testing. The authorization amount presented was approximately $783,059 and staff confirmed the testing firm's accreditations had been independently verified; the board approved the item.

- Resolution 2025-44 (item 4g): Approval of an agreement with AAP Texas to provide and install electrical distribution facilities to serve project tolling components; the amount presented was $104,667.09 and the board approved the agreement.

Took no action / deferred

- Item 4b: Staff recommended no action; the board took no action pending additional information from the consultant.

- Item 4f: Staff recommended no action; staff said they lacked required information from Magic Valley and will return the item at a later meeting.

- Item 4j: Staff recommended the board take no action; the board followed staff's recommendation and took no action on that item when it was heard out of order.

Denied

- Resolution 2025-45 (item 4h): Request from Paulus Construction to advance value-engineering change-proposal savings milestone payments (advance the 80%/100% milestone payments). The contractor requested advancement because of cash-flow impacts tied to utility delays; the board voted to deny the request.

Motions for the consent agenda and the various approvals were moved and seconded during the meeting; votes were taken by voice and recorded as carried or denied in the meeting minutes. The board asked staff to return with additional details where items were deferred.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","HCRMA Meeting 06-24-2025 | City of Pharr","oneSentenceSummary","At the meeting the board approved work authorizations for levy certification, additional geotechnical and retaining-wall testing, an electrical distribution agreement, approved a contract amendment, took no action on items lacking information, and denied the contractor's request to advance value-engineering savings payments.","taxTitle","Pharr, Hidalgo County, Texas","taxId",2804,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6511722,"365 Tollway: wetland mitigation finished, gantries going up; contractor seeks early value-engineering payment and board denies advance",1670,2425000,4095000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5134149-62dd1fb70204405fcf8f6b53cc39d0d0&start=2425&end=4095","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5134149-62dd1fb70204405fcf8f6b53cc39d0d0/thumbnail_2425000.jpg","/articles/6511722/Pharr/Hidalgo-County/Texas/365-Tollway-wetland-mitigation-finished-gantries-going-up-contractor-seeks-early-value-engineering-payment-and-board-denies-advance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6511722-6b41a225fc8f0a1af68c6589e6675ce3/orig.mp4?Expires=1776412227&Signature=lX7S9gS0FNBn9gE~I0hOLclFsZ4MRnAU1i~QEap0DcmoSohDiZzLrcznHTBCBOglFvjK2z--wgBEcKJKUu20f9YTJcsi6VSTj-Mp9G~7qgio3Ddq42Bb0jrgIYwfkPO0dUo5l9Wl949dPWP2TsVYmpRQUdOqw4Q2XeU21PDXoEMXsEzCNZJ63ZfDxKRRgGNHUYsAh7BGaiRVFnQfI7bwVShgXZchoUHMSKudhr8hvBI1-SRrMcnpmXWQtSQ7tA1qAEjZNbQJ9NWC9J~IF0Jtipi62aKas4ewcI2G8fo4YcwmQm~nRy3x5UMEuJiUUv5nLjfWr~ZzAABymstIZt75xg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Ramon Navarro, chief construction engineer for the Hidalgo County Regional Mobility Authority, provided a project update on the 365 Tollway, reporting that several construction packages are advancing while utility relocations and irrigation-district approvals are causing localized delays.

Navarro said the wetland mitigation site, a conversion of about 23.2 acres, completed final walk-throughs and closed out at approximately $5,710,902.91, with remaining items to be addressed through Army Corps permitting and a plant-survey schedule. \"We wrapped all this up for a total of approximately, it was summed out to $5,710,902.91,\" Navarro said, and added that the contractor provided manuals of operation to Valley Land Fund.

Navarro also reported progress on tolling integration: the first gantry for the CSET (central system equipment and tolling) has been erected and the contractor committed to have all gantries installed by August so camera installation and factory tests can begin.

On the heavy-highway construction package with Paulus Construction, Navarro said the team has issued 15 change orders and is reviewing change order 16, which covers switching from dual to single gantries; that change was estimated to produce savings, and Navarro said the savings estimate was substantially less than originally forecast (the item under review showed $335,000 in estimated savings).

Utility conflicts were a recurring theme. Navarro said three AEP transmission-line poles, including one within a levee footing and one within a drainage area, are constraining work in the Jackson Road area. Navarro said ERCOT switching to allow the line relocation is targeted for July 13 with an expectation that poles will be cleared by July 31 so construction can resume in that corridor.

The San Juan Main Canal bridge remains delayed while staff awaits a pumping-plan approval from the Hidalgo County Irrigation District. Navarro described a proposed approach that would install a pumping system (he referenced a $667,000 pumping system in the discussion) to avoid erosion and bypass issues and said the RMA expects a plant survey and quarterly monitoring to follow project completion.

Navarro provided a performance update showing the construction contract approaching two-thirds complete; he cited a contract cumulative total approximately $178,588,101.06 and a completion percentage reported in the presentation (about 66.99% at the time of the update).

Paulus Construction President Victor Jimenez participated virtually and asked the board to consider advancing milestone payments tied to value-engineering change-proposal savings that are scheduled to be paid as milestones (20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, 100%). Jimenez said construction impacts tied to utilities had slowed his cash flow and that the contractor could provide additional bonding if the board sought further assurances.

The board discussed the request and, after a motion, voted to deny the resolution seeking advancement of the 80%/100% value-engineering savings payments. A director explained a preference to consider advancing a single payment at a later date rather than both milestones now. Navarro said the milepost structure was designed so savings are realized after quantities are delivered and verified.","Engineering staff reported the wetland mitigation work complete at roughly $5.71 million, first toll gantry erected and gantry installation targeted by August; utility relocations and irrigation approvals are delaying several bridge elements; the board voted down a contractor request to advance value-engineering savings payments.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6511727,"RMA reports May permit activity: 6,201 permits issued; staff proposes chart refinements",372,2042000,2414000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5134149-62dd1fb70204405fcf8f6b53cc39d0d0&start=2042&end=2414","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5134149-62dd1fb70204405fcf8f6b53cc39d0d0/thumbnail_2042000.jpg","/articles/6511727/Pharr/Hidalgo-County/Texas/RMA-reports-May-permit-activity-6201-permits-issued-staff-proposes-chart-refinements","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6511727-daaeb58e809d5c1e2ff164a108a4f697/orig.mp4?Expires=1776412227&Signature=Us~xF0FYJA9U9lXwyYn6aAxWvw6lptAVkk5wnk5U0Zd1DEWaZ0luTQkpj8L3D3JJEvSi11eyNTljlIC9k1SF~VZCl6T-v6CyMNC3kNae7phoE-S5YUm2gmnkdHl5uv3t2mV0RbLO9nzOblOXP~kKDyq8jqnZDMLC5F~uzD~qMlB6jt0v3XqiiD4teAwF8eNoY7~L5uidqqdeOZp8EqieLN-bGhmnH8R2FHUVIn93YAi1xWk4EZZGi2bdktj-wKmiStvFS2grpNg4eZaEjQCEhE8Y8Pl29qewW321kuPrs2~pY6f5yNN2u1dddDndhGZjOhBzFJEdWrH4Kowg3jVXQQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Ruben Alvaro, reporting on program-manager activities for the 365 Tollway project, told the Hidalgo County Regional Mobility Authority that the agency issued 6,201 permits during May and collected $1,263,954 in total fees for the month.

Alvaro said the monthly totals included $23,754 in convenience fees and $1,240,200 in permit fees; of the permit fees, $1,039,598 was remitted to Texas (for on-system roads), $14,572 went to local jurisdictions for off-system roads, and the RMA received $167,427.

The board asked staff to add prior-year comparison columns and percentage-change (delta) columns to future charts. Alvaro said staff had already added a cumulative chart that includes January 1 to May 31 comparisons and offered to add the additional columns requested.

Alvaro presented cumulative figures from the start of permitting in 2014 through May 31, 2025: 417,863 permits issued and a total amount collected reported in the presentation. He also said the RMA had issued 29,040 permits so far in 2025 compared with about 33,000 through the same time in 2024.

A director asked about tutorial pricing on the RMA website and the handling of additional stops on electronic permit routes; staff clarified the tutorial fee and confirmed that additional stops apply only on corridors and that route submissions must be contiguous.

The board did not take action on the report beyond directing staff to present the requested tabular comparisons at the next meeting.","Program manager Ruben Alvaro reported 6,201 permits issued in May with $1.26 million collected; the board requested a prior-year comparison column and delta percentages on future permit reports.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6511731,"Hidalgo County RMA completes annual ethics and compliance training, reviews new open-meetings and records rules",1640,441000,2081000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5134149-62dd1fb70204405fcf8f6b53cc39d0d0&start=441&end=2081","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5134149-62dd1fb70204405fcf8f6b53cc39d0d0/thumbnail_441000.jpg","/articles/6511731/Pharr/Hidalgo-County/Texas/Hidalgo-County-RMA-completes-annual-ethics-and-compliance-training-reviews-new-open-meetings-and-records-rules","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6511731-601533f3520bd4a15f54af55bade2a05/orig.mp4?Expires=1776412227&Signature=O~8P821GXH6-7dJYB~ODXz5FekdQgTJXHTh68k5rI1QYf5dbzv6hzKY3Tvf0YmwC45wb2zKT57swqybnzfPTCZ6OKdYBMeV9C68DboWxLOd1mv1M0MZduveQbAP3GxHYQeb8p53L1dWTrupSsIdNmiE~0JiKR9cUxDB6ytgpM8HEN2n8VlLcrNeqqHK1gg45jt92hSF91KchcNtti0JqYpoxAUCYF69zDwNlcDONakMw~MygpLbJBCJtK8g5MS2FQK6ZpdeLTp59xErc-so~kKaQfEjcuxhRRu~mfm~~6vH311G4hhBhJmSpAOazO76KzEvdqVQ7SlU6TkKKtuAHtA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Hidalgo County Regional Mobility Authority held its annual ethics and compliance workshop during a regular meeting, where an outside presenter reviewed state and RMA-specific rules covering conflicts of interest, gifts and bribery, use of government property, open-meeting requirements and public information responsibilities.

Blakey Fernandez, the presenter for the workshop, told directors that the RMA's compliance program must include an identified senior staff member for oversight and periodic training. Fernandez said, \"Ethics is the conduct and behavior that establishes public trust, avoids the appearance of impropriety. Compliance are the things that evidence that, the enforcement, and the things that that that evidence that we are in compliance with the ethics guidelines that we've adopted.\"

Fernandez reviewed statutory thresholds that could create a conflict of interest under state law, including a substantial business interest threshold and a substantial property interest threshold, and noted RMA/Txdot-adopted rules that are typically stricter than state law. \"Substantial business interest is probably lower than you think,\" Fernandez said, noting specific dollar thresholds cited in the presentation.

The presenter also reviewed bribery and gift rules and said TxDOT guidance treats certain workplace meals and reimbursements as benefits to be cautious about. Use of government property and the treatment of agency information as RMA property were highlighted: \"If it comes on your personal phone, you should be forwarding it to your email to make sure that you've got it or to your work phone to make sure that you're preserving it,\" Fernandez said.

Fernandez outlined recent legislative changes affecting the Open Meetings Act and the Public Information Act, including a new three-business-day public-posting requirement for agendas and expanded training and disclosure obligations. He said attorneys who assist public bodies must complete online open-meetings training and cannot bill the agency for that time. The presenter also described new statutory guidance for maintaining records, required website postings for budget documents when budget matters are discussed, and the RMA's approach to certified agendas for executive sessions.

Pilar (staff member) and others confirmed training materials and a compliance handbook are available online and that certificates signing attendance will be provided. Fernandez said the RMA maintains an anonymous fraud-reporting portal routed to three officials and that the RMA had recently completed an audit that found the agency largely in compliance with required items.

The workshop concluded with a request that board members who have not completed required trainings do so; staff will circulate certificates for signatures and maintain training records.","Board members received a mandatory ethics and compliance briefing covering conflicts of interest, bribery and gifts, use of government property, open-meetings changes and Public Information Act updates; staff will provide certificates and a handbook.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

RMA board approves multiple consultant work authorizations, defers some items and denies contractor's advance payment request

365 Tollway: wetland mitigation finished, gantries going up; contractor seeks early value-engineering payment and board denies advance

RMA reports May permit activity: 6,201 permits issued; staff proposes chart refinements

Hidalgo County RMA completes annual ethics and compliance training, reviews new open-meetings and records rules